Page 74 of Protecting Her Secrets

“This is all very heartwarming, but you need to cut to the chase. We can talk about Lucy and Clara another time.”

“Right. Well, Lucy and Clara were at the diner when I took you there for dinner the other night, so she saw you and must’ve overheard gossip about us. So, when the two bikers, neither of whom were Klutch, by the way, showed her a picture of you and asked if she’s seen you, I thought she’d do what she always does and mistake you for her mom or cousin. Of course, they caught her in a moment of lucidity, and she told them all about you and me. Thankfully, she hadn’t seen Wilder and me walk in. Otherwise, I’m sure she would’ve pointed me out.”

“Oh my god.” She covers her mouth, her eyes wide.

“Clara showed up as Lucy was talking to them and tried to fix the damage. She told them her sister has dementia and often mistakes people for someone else, but I wasn’t sure they bought it. Not wanting to risk her spotting me, we slipped back outside after that.”

“This is so bad.”

I cover the hand not clasped over her mouth. “She didn’t tell them where I live, and no one else will. The town will protect us.”

“None of that explains why you’re all banged up. How did that happen?”

I release her hand and point at her dinner. “Eat.”

“You’re a pain in the ass.”

“I know,” I say, but grin when she takes a bite. “Wilder and I thought we’d have a chat with them, play stupid just to feel them out. So when they left the diner, we approached them. After asking a few questions, it was obvious we weren’t going to get any information, so Wilder told them they best get on their way.”

“Let me guess: they didn’t like that answer?”

“Nope. One of them took a swing at me—that I dodged, by the way.”

“Good job, babe. Then what?”

“Then, we fought. Wilder took one on, and I took the other.”

“That was so stupid. Is Wilder okay?”

I lift my chin at her plate, and she shovels in some chicken. “Good girl.”

“Bite me.”

“Don’t tempt me. I’ve been wanting to take a bite of your ass since I was sixteen.”

“Don’t try to distract me. I took my bite, so you have to answer.”

“Fine. Wilder is no more banged up than I am.”

“That’s good, I guess.” This time, she eats some rice before she asks, “Then what?”

“My guy probably outweighed me by a good fifty pounds, so he was able to tackle me to the ground. After that, he kicked me in the ribs with his steel-toed boots.”

“I told you it wasn’t a good idea to take them on. You’re lucky they let you go.”

Ouch. That fucking stings. “You don’t think we could take them?”

“It’s not that. You’re a big guy, and obviously, you work out, but they’re ruthless and don’t fight fair.” She mistakes the look on my face for shame. “Please don’t be embarrassed. I don’t think any less of you. It’s just that?—”

I interrupt by standing and tossing my napkin on top of the dinner I barely touched before I walk away.

“Don’t be mad. I wasn’t trying to emasculate you. They’re animals. Not many people could fight them and win.”

Pissed, I whirl around and stab a finger in her direction. “Yeah, well, I’m one of them. Wilder and I got them bothwrestled to the ground and cuffed. If you want proof, you can visit them in county lock up.”

“Really?”

I laugh, but there’s no amusement. “Fuckin’ really.”

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